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UR7s can reveal that the Julian Starmer-Smith Lymphona Fund has been chosen as the official charity for the inaugural National Sevens Series in the UK.

The Series, which starts this Saturday at London’s RugbyRocks, features nine of the top specialist sevens teams battling it out for an overall title across four tournaments.

More then 12,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with T-Cell lymphoma every year. Although many are cured, this group of conditions still poses a significant challenge to haematologists around the world.

The fund was started by IRB Sevens World Series commentator and UR7s columnist Nigel Starmer-Smith and his wife Ros in memory of son Julian, who died from the rare blood disorder in May 2001. 

Julian, following in the footsteps of his father, was a talented and passionate rugby player himself.

The object of the Julian Starmer-Smith Lymphoma Fund is to support research into biological and clinical aspects of lymphoma, a diverse group of cancers of the lymphatic system.

“It is with delight and gratitude that I can announce that UR7s and the National Sevens Series have chosen to support this cause,” said Nigel Starmer-Smith.

“After a brave fight against the T-Cell lymphoma strain of cancer Jules died in May 2001. For my wife, Ros and son, Charles, it was doubly tough as my daughter, Charlotte, died from an unrelated rare blood disorder a decade before. We set up the Julian Starmer-Smith Fund so that other families do not have to go what we have.”

“The Series represents an exciting new departure for sevens - providing the platform to showcase the mesmerising skills, speed and power of rugby's most exciting form.”

Also supporting the charity are 13 former Rugby Sevens players who are competing in this year’s Etape. The event sees experienced professionals or club cyclists tackle one most gruelling stages of the Tour De France. Charlie Starmer-Smith (Julian’s brother) and UR7s CEO Tim Lacey are part of the team talking the challenge.

“I’m extremely proud to associate the National Sevens Series with the Julian Starmer-Smith Lymphona Fund in this way. It’s a cause that many in the rugby community are passionate about and I very much hope that through the Series we can help encourage continued and further support for such an important charity,” said Tim Lacey.

“I’m not sure I had any idea what I was signing up for to be honest, but it didn’t take long for reality to set in.”
For more reaction on the Julian Starmer-Smith Lymphona Fund and the Etape challenge read Nigel Starmer-Smith’s latest column.

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For more reaction on the Julian Starmer-Smith Lymphona Fund and the Etape challenge read Nigel Starmer-Smith’s latest column by clicking here.

To make a donation please visit the Julian Starmer-Smith Fund at www.justgiving.com/jssfund.